Thunderstruck - Thunder recap for March 12, 1998

The Giant shows up to start tonight's show. He wants to know where Kevin Nash is, as he has not seen him around lately after it became an even playing field. Tonight, if the nWo has the guts, he will take them on single-handedly and by himself. He says that if they are as tough as they say they are, he will be slim pickings for Nash at Uncensored; if not, Nash will have hell to pay. Suddenly, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth show up, and Savage asks The Giant if he is hearing what he is thinking he is hearing before saying that if The Giant gets rid of Kevin Nash, it will leave "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan alone in the steel cage with him. He then says that with Hogan gone, the madness will get to business and he will get his hands on the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Suddenly, Sting shows up and tells Savage it is his title, not "the title," but Savage warns Sting that with the right guy in the right place and the right time, there is no telling what will happen when the madness gets out of control. Sting tells Savage this is the right place and the right time and that he is the right guy, and tonight is good with him. Savage accepts the challenge.

Before the next match, Raven tells Brad Armstrong that tonight, they are scheduled to do battle; however, he advises him that discretion is the better part of valor. Raven tells Armstrong he understands his pain and frustration, and remembers how Armstrong was Rookie of the year and one-half of the tag team champions, and says that since then, his career has descended into mediocrity. Raven says he is aware of the "Armstrong Curse," and says the sins of the father are visited upon the son. He understands his respect for his father, "Bullet" Bob Armstrong, but the bookers in WCW were jealous of him and took it out on Brad. He tells Armstrong to give in to his hate, anger and frustration, as he feels his pain. He then hits Brad Armstrong with an Evenflow DDT and pins him while saying "Quoth the Raven, nevermore." Raven beats Brad Armstrong.

Tony Schiavone interviews Chris Jericho, who shows up wearing Juventud Guerrera's mask and Rey Mysterio Jr.'s T-shirt, on the stage. Jericho says he feels pretty good tonight, and tells Dean Malenko that if he wants a shot at the WCW Cruiserweight Championship, he will put the title on the line tonight. Jericho then says he is not only the man of 1,004 holds; he is also the collector of trophies, as he has Juventud Guerrera's mask, the WCW Cruiserweight Championship and Rey Mysterio Jr.'s T-shirt. He plans to beat Malenko with the Texas Cloverleaf - Malenko's own hold - and when he does, he hopes Malenko will change the name of it to the "Canadian Jericho Leaf." He then says he and everyone knows that Malenko will never beat him for the title again.

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan beats Kendall Windham.

This weekend on WCW Saturday Night: Bill Goldberg in action! Dean Malenko and "The Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit in tag action! Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart and The British Bulldog vs. Brian Adams and Curt Hennig!

Scott Steiner beats Johnny Grunge with the Steiner Recliner after smacking Grunge in the crotch with the middle rope on his way in before knocking Grunge off the apron and through his own table at ringside.

Tony Schiavone interviews Eddie Guerrero on the stage. Eddie says that last Monday night, his nephew Chavo Guerrero Jr. had a chance to become a champion, but he dropped the ball like always and disgraced the Guerrero name. As a result, he has to come back out and raise the family name back up to the top. As Eddie continues to complain about Chavo, Chavo shows up and asks Eddie if he has something to say. Eddie says he has tried beating Chavo up, dragging his face all over the mat and handpicking opponents to move him up the ladder, but nothing has worked. He then says they should settle this man-to-man in the ring, and if he wins, Chavo has to do things the way he says, to whom he says and how he says, as he is going to change him from a loser to a winner. Chavo accepts on the condition that if he loses, Eddie had to do things "the Guerrero way" with honor, integrity and respect. Eddie accepts, and Chavo tells him to get in the ring right now.

Eddie Guerrero beats Chavo Guerrero Jr. with a kick to the groin prior to the top rope frog splash. As per pre-match stipulation, Chavo must now do whateve Eddie Guerrero tells him to. During the match, it is announced that Dean Malenko has accepted Chris Jericho's challenge for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship for later tonight.

Eric Bischoff, Scott Hall and "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan show up. Bischoff says there is "dumb, dumber and mega-dumb," and that The Giant is "mega-dumb." Hogan says that when he heard The Giant (whom he calls "Fee-Fi-Fo-Dumb") challenge the entire nWo, he knew the nWo was coming to the Thanksgiving celebration and that they would all be fighting over The Giant like parts of a Thanksgiving turkey. Scott Hall tells The Giant he did not think it was possible, but that he is as dumb as he looks and that he will find out what happens when you mess with the nWo. He then tells Hogan the Thanksgiving feast is not over yet, because at the end of the night, Sting will have his hands full with him while "Macho Man" will be in the steel cage with Hogan. He says he will be watching Savage vs. Sting tonight, and that the nWo hates controversy and that they all just want to get along. Hogan says that after picking The Giant's bones, he and Hall will be on vacation as they watch Sting and Savage wrestle, because they will get rid of Sting and Savage once and for all.

Konnan beats Lizmark Jr. with the Tequila Sunrise. After the match, Konnan tries to unmask Lizmark Jr., but Juventud Guerrera shows up and hits Konnan with a springboard drop kick. Konnan sneaks up on Guerrera and attacks him from behind before knocking Lizmark Jr. out of the ring, then trips up Guerrera on the top rope and continues to attack him.

Tony Schiavone interviews Rick Rude and Curt Hennig. Rude says his original intent was to collect a hefty bounty place on Bret "The Hit Man" Hart's head by the WWF, but after hanging with the New World Order for a while and hooking up with Hennig, he has come to realize that is not about money; it is about self-gratification. Hennig says Bret had an opportunity to join the nWo, but he chose WCW, and "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan has sent the message to eliminate him. Hennig says that the people will see one of the best wrestling matches in a long time as he is a good wrestler, but there is a difference between being good and being great, and that when you talk about him and Rude beating up people since eighth grade along with Scott Norton, they have never lost a fight. Rude says WCW will be "Hart-less" next week on Nitro, as he and Hennig have purchased a round-trip ticket to Hades and back for Bret.

We see a video package for the Triple Jeopardy Match for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship between Raven, "The Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit and Diamond Dallas Page at Uncensored.

Saturn beats Disco Inferno with the Rings of Saturn.

The Giant's attempt to take on the nWo single-handedly ends with a Jackknife Power Bomb to Konnan, causing the match to end and the nWo to back off. Yet again, head of WCW security Doug Dellinger cuffs The Giant's wrists with chains and a padlock with the help of local law enforcement, and he is once again led backstage. Suddenly, Kevin Nash shows up with a cup of coffee in his hand, and he splashes the coffee in his face. The Giant breaks the chains padlocked around his wrists under his own power and chases Kevin Nash to the back.

Dean Malenko beats Chris Jericho - who is wearing Juventud Guerrera's mask - with the Texas Cloverleaf to become WCW Cruiserweight Champion for the fourth time...almost. After the match, Malenko attacks Jericho from behind and unmasks Jericho only to reveal that the man behind the mask is not Jericho, but is instead Lenny Lane. Malenko is then struck from behind with the WCW Cruiserweight Championship by the real Jericho, who then puts Malenko in the Lion Tamer.

Lex Luger beats Scott Norton by disqualification when Scott Steiner interferes. After the match, Rick Stiener gets in the ring and back body drops Norton over the top rope. Scott Steiner tries to run away, but Luger punches Scott and throws him into the ring. Norton attacks Rick from behind, and Lex Luger and Rick Steiner fight off both Scott Steiner and Scott Norton until the latter team retreats.

"Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship ends with Scott Hall attacking Sting and "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan attacking Savage earlier. When Savage and Sting fight them off, they send out the rest of the nWo, and as the nWo regroup, Sting puts Savage and himself on a harness and they both escape to the rafters to end the show.